Re: Looking for a good beginner's telescope, suggestions?

From: Brian (broghy_at_yahoo.com)
Date: 11/11/04 

Date: Thu, 11 Nov 2004 00:04:01 -0600

you could have the kid tested with a full battery of 29 dspi's!
be sure and look for trace amounts of histoplasmosis of the ogoid mons.

"Ken S. Tucker" wrote:

> mtmr02@yahoo.com (Mark Roberts) wrote in message news:<6e74a1a1.0411091126.1df78925@posting.google.com>...
> > Hi folks! My 12 year old son has been very interested in astronomy
> > for the past year or so, and has been doing a lot of star gazing with
> > the naked eye and a decent set of binoculars. I'd like to upgrade him
> > for Christmas and get him a good beginner's telescope. (My definition
> > of good would be probably run the middle between price and quality, as
> > I don't want to go overboard and buy something expensive and then end
> > up having him not use it!) He's primarily focused on the moon and
> > constellations before and would like to check out the planets and
> > maybe other objects further out. Anyone have any suggestions on what
> > to get him? I would appreciate any information those with more
> > experience than I could give. Thanks so much! - Mark
>
> If you're boy has a good IQ, and takes geometry serious
> then ask him if he understands what an "EQuatorial Mount"
> is and how it works.
> Usually an interest in astronomy is indicative of
> high intelligence and spatial understanding.
> Ask him if he would prefer an EQ mount or a less
> expensive Alti-azmuth mount, to see if he knows the
> diff. If he doesn't a week later, then you'll know
> to get a cheapy Al-az department store job.
> OTOH if a 12 year old can explain to you why an
> EQ mount is better, then the geometry lesson alone
> for him polarizing an EQ is a cheap lesson.
> The scope oughta be a refractor at 60mm or a bit
> more, to keep portability. Much larger will be
> tough on a 12 year old, and reflectors are less
> tolerant of abuse. That'll keep him busy until
> next X-mas.
> Anyway, talk to him and get back to us about
> what he think's he knows. ok?
> Regards
> Ken S. Tucker